Core Curriculum

Understanding the World

Overview

Courses in Understanding the World are ideally taken in the second year and build on the introductory foundational skills. In their courses in these domains, students will gain insights into the philosophical underpinnings, key concepts, theories, and methodologies of generating new knowledge, and the creative process across the dominant domains of knowledge (Spiritual and Ethical Perspectives, Aesthetic Expression, Historical and Social Literacy, and Scientific Reasoning). Gaining insight into how different disciplines approach understanding the world will broaden our graduates' toolkits for engaging with diverse perspectives and problem solving.

  • Spiritual and Ethical Perspectives

    Approved courses

    Learning Outcomes
    1. Demonstrate philosophical problem-solving or religious literacy through the application and analysis of an example.
    2. Identify and define terminology, concepts, ideas, or practices in philosophy or religious studies.
    3. Apply methods of philosophy or religious studies to interpret interactions between individuals and society.
    4. Accurately use methods of philosophical or religious reasoning as they engage fundamental questions about the human condition.

    (Learning Outcomes updated November 21, 2023, effective AY24-25)

  • Aesthetic Expression

    Approved Courses

    Learning Outcomes
    1. Identify and/or describe learned methods, concepts, techniques, terms, and/or forms in the creative field.
    2. Identify and describe learned connections between historical, social, and/or cultural contexts of a work/artist in the creative field.
    3. Engage in creative expression and/or develop original creative work applying learned methodology or context.
    4. Interpret and critically evaluate creative work.

    (Learning Outcomes updated October 17, 2023, effective AY24-25)

  • Historical and Social Literacy

    Approved courses

    Learning Outcomes
    1. Explain the basic principles and methodologies of history or social science research.
    2. Apply central concepts and/or theories used by historians or social scientists.
    3. Describe cultural phenomena and explain the impact of culture on people and/or the impact of people on culture.
    4. Describe an institution and explain an institution’s impact on people and/or the impact of people on an institution.

    (Learning Outcomes updated December 19, 2023, effective AY24-25)

  • Scientific Reasoning

    Approved Courses

    Learning Outcomes
    1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of science as a way of knowing about the physical and/or natural world.
    2. Students will demonstrate the ability to assess the credibility of scientific information.
    3. Students will be able to collect and analyze data and information to test hypotheses and draw conclusions about the physical and natural world using appropriate scientific methods.

    (Learning Outcomes revised November 1, 2021)